Cone or plug for form ties

ABSTRACT

A spacer, cone or plug device for use with form ties to prevent escape of concrete which provides a resilient tubular body for closely engaging form ties and an angular end face to facilitate useage. The end face operates as a guide and self-finding element when the forms are erected; as a convenient gripping element when the device is removed from a poured wall; and, it further preserves an opening in the poured wall that may be easily filled. When used with breakback ties, the resilient device further facilitates the breaking away of tie ends.

United States Patent [72] Inventor James W. Franklin P.0. Box 3646, Albuquerque, N. Mex. 87110 [21] App]. No. 806,858

[22] Filed Mar. 13,1969

[45] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [54] CONE 0R PLUG FOR FORM TIES 5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

249/213 E04g 17/06 249/212, 213, 214, 216, 217, 218, 219, 41, 42, 43, 44-50, 205,190-194,219 R, 219 W, 142, 151; 25/131 T, 131 RR, 128 E, 128 RR; 52/403, 712, 713, 714; 138/109, 118, 178,285/19, 20,43,417; 161/188, 189, 195, 196; 18/13 11,45 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,723,631 8/1929 Pollock et a1 249/42 1,907,618 5/1933 Umbach 249/43 X 3,191,864 6/1965 Moses 52/403 X 3,437,309 4/1969 Tausanovitch 249/216 3,465,999 9/1969 Gates 249/213 X 3,482,813 12/1969 Wells 249/46 Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-John S. Brown Attorney-C. B. Messenger ABSTRACT: A spacer, cone or plug device for use with form ties to prevent escape of concrete which provides a resilient tubular body for closely engaging form ties and an angular end face to facilitate useage. The end face operates as a guide and selflfinding element when the forms are erected; as a convenient gripping element when the device is removed from a poured wall; and, it further preserves an opening in the poured wall that may be easily filled. When used with breakback ties, the resilient device further facilitates the breaking away of tie ends.

PATENTED 0m 1 2 |97| INVENTOR. JAMES W. FRANKLIN BY ATTORNEY cons on PLUG son FORM TIES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The device disclosed herein is comparable to the cone elements shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,482,813 dated Dec. 9, I969. The device is useable in connection with the Wedge Fonn Lock and Gang Forming System" disclosed in such application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general, the device is to be used in connection with concrete forming operations and particularly in connection with later gang forming techniques. The device can be beneficially used on button head form ties, on loop end ties or on taper ties as well as on other types of form ties. When used with any of the foregoing form tie types, the device will prevent the escape from forming systems of concrete that is being'poured. t

In the prior art many different types of plugs or cones or spacers have been provided and used to prevent escape of poured concrete. Cone-shaped elements have had wide prior useage in these fields. See Oelfke U.S. Pat. No. 2,493,826. In general, previous plug or cone elements have been used in conjunction with form ties that incorporated a separate spreader element for keeping the forms from collapsing inwardly before a wall or structure is poured. In other installations the cone or plug itself has served the required spacer or spreader function. See Schenk U.S. Pat. No. 2,218,099.

In P esent day gang forming systems it is highly desirable to provide a system that can be speedily erected. The type of rod tie and form lock shown in'the mentioned previous application facilitates gang forming operations, since the form ties may be inserted from a position outside either of the form walls. No spacer or spreader is used in such system, since the form walls are located and maintained in desired position by shoulder elements on the form ties that are cooperatively engaged by a form lock to prevent both inward and outward collapse or misalignment of the forms. Where the form ties are to be inserted from a position outside either of the form walls, some previous difficulty has been experienced in locating the hole in the op posite form wall. Where cones or plugs corresponding to the size of the opening in the opposite wall are preapplied to the form ties, the location and insertion problems have been time consuming. The present invention is presented to avoid some of these previous difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, the present invention provides a cone or plug for use in concrete forming operations. The cone-plug here described may be-used on various types of ties to prevent escape of poured concrete from form elements. In its simplest and preferred form the invention presents a tubular structure formed of resilient material and having an internal bore of size substantially equal to the size of the tie being utilized. The external shape is of size corresponding to the size of the tie openings provided in the form elements. The length of the cone or plug device is defined by at least one angularly disposed face. The tip end of such face then helps to locate and find the tie opening in the opposite form when the tie is rotated as it is being inserted. The same angular face has further advantages as set forth in the accompanying drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the invention, 7

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side elevation,

FIG. 3 is a side view of a separate embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 is a side elevation in partial cross section,

FIG. 5 is a side elevation showing the device of the invention together with components of a gang forming system,

FIG. 6 is a side elevation in partial cross section illustrating removal of the end of a breakback tie, and

FIG. 7 is a side elevation in partial cross section showing extraction of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-7 illustrate construction features and details of useage of a preferred embodiment of the invention. An alternate form of invention is shown in FIG. 3 wherein a cone or plug element 11 of substantially tubular configuration is illustrated. The plug has a central bore I2 adapted to securely engage and enclose the exterior surface of a rodor wire-type tie. In this particular embodiment of the invention one end face 13 is disposed at substantially a right angle with respect to the axis of the tube, while a second form insertion end face 14 is disposed at an inclined angle with respect to the central axis. This particular embodiment of the invention presents most of the advantages of the preferred embodiment and differs therefrom only in provision of a single angularly dispomd face that is to be disposed outwardly in the formed wall.

The configuration of a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 wherein it is shown that the cone-plug 21 has a central bore 22 and a pair of inclined end faces 23 and 24. The plug is preferably made of resilient material, and the bore is of a size to closely engage the tie with which it is used. The plugs 11 and 21 may be made of rubber, plastic or other material that can be cast or extruded to obtain the desired shape. The inclined faces 23, 24 and 14 can be derived by the particular shaping of the molds for casting or where rubber or vinyl as preferred materials are used, the inclined faces may be derived by cutting techniques. In the manufacture of such items a fly cutter mechanism positioned adjacent to the output end of a tubing extruder can be used to rapidly cut the extruded tube into the desired length and configuration.

The cone-plug is of special benefit where it is used with rod ties in a gang forming system. Representative components of such a system are shown in FIG. 5. Here a rod tie 26 extends through aconcrete wall 27 and through the form boards 28 forming system. A channel-type waler 29 and a form lock 31 of the type shown and described in the mentioned patent application engages a shoulder or button 32 on the rod tie 26. Desirably the tie is of a breakback type that is scored at 33 so that after the wall is poured and hardened the rod end can be twisted free from the main body or shank 34 of the tie 26. With this type of tie a flattened segment 36 is generally provided intennediate the ends of the tie and in position to be engaged by the hardened concrete. This flattened portion prevents rotation of the rod when the end is being twisted loose. To break back the tie and to remove the end, a pair of pliers 37 is applied to the rod end. The rod end is then twisted and bent until the rod breaks at the scored mark 33. When the cone is made of resilient material, the twisting and bending is facilitated by distortions of the in-place cone-plug 21.

After the form boards 28 have been removed, as shown in FIG. 7, pliers 37 may be used to engage the insertion tip end 25 of angle face 24 of cone-plug 21 so that the cone itself is then easily removed. Since elastic materials have a tendency to contract when they are stretched, a direct pull will usually loosen the cone-plug. Since a pair of pliers can obtain a secure grip on the tapered end face 24 and tip end 25, the plug can also be rotated to free it from the concrete. The angle face 24 in cooperation with the central bore 22 actually provides an efficient gripping surface so that no difficulty is experienced in removing the cones from the poured wall.

When a cone having a plurality of angled end faces is removed, a distinctive hole is left in the cured concrete 27. This angularly truncated cylindrical opening can be filled with filler materials, or a concrete grout can be introduced to plug the opening.

The rear angular face and the usually intruding broken end 39 provides a mechanical key feature that will tend to securely hold the filler or grout introduced into the opening. The rear angularly cut face, accordingly, has beneficial features in addition to contributing to the economy of manufacture when a single fly cutter is used to cut cone or plug elements from extruded tubing. The cone 11 shown in FIG. 3 can also be economically provided where a pair of fly cutters are used. A first fly cutter is disposed at an angle to cut the angular face 14, while a second fly cutter in timed intermediate sequence is used to cut the straight face 13. A shear could be used.

In the manufacture of ties for use as described, the coneplug will be applied to the tie after the flattened segments and notches have been formed. After installation of the cone-plug the button or shoulder element 32 can be formed on the ties 26 at the ends or in other position by conventional forming techniques.

When the central bore 22 is designed to closely engage the exterior tie surface, the cone-plugs will be firmly held in their installed positions. Where vinyl and other plastic or resilient materials are used, the material and shape of the cone itself will resist movement away from its installed and adjusted position. Vinyl cones of the shapes illustrated or similar devices having other than angularly disposed end faces have improved useage characteristics in connection with rod-type ties due to this tendency to resist movement away from an initially installed position. The characteristics of vinyl materials that contribute to this beneficial result include the resilience of the cast or extruded vinyl and the tendency for the cylindrical section to contract inwardly, reducing the central bore diameter when the cone or plug is forcibly moved. This characteristic serves to hold the cone-plug in its adjusted position on the tie.

The tendency to stay in place increases the ease and economy of useage for cone-plugs made in accordance with the present invention. Some previous cone elements presently being extensively used must be crimped by a hand operation in order to hold the cones in place. This hand crimping operation requires additional time, and it significantly slows the form erection procedures. For gang forming operations where large assembled panels inclusive of several form pieces are to be moved and erected, the crimping of spacers or cones incurs a substantial and expensive delay. Even where the required crimping is done in factories, an increased cost is incurred.

While the device of the present invention is to be used primarily on rod and taper type ties, the same advantages inherent in the present construction are available when the cone-plugs are used with many additional types of form ties. The self-finding feature of the forwardly disposed angular face will greatly expedite form erection procedures in gang forming operations. Where the ties are to be inserted from a position outside either form wall, the present device will have even greater beneficial uses.

Further, while the design, configuration and construction of the cone-plug is of particular interest, the combination of a cone-plug incorporating the features described herein and a tie is itself of interest. A complete tie assembly could include a pair of cone-plugs disposed on the opposite ends of a tie 26 in position intermediate enlarged shoulders or buttons 32. The illustrations of FIGS. 2 and 4 shown the characteristics of such a tie and cone combination, inasmuch as the remainder of the tie construction would be symmetrical with respect to the portion shown. In this combination it is to be observed that the shoulder or button 32 and the cone-plug are of size to pass through the tie rod opening in the form boards 28. Similarly, all flattened segments 36 and other elements of the tie and/or cone-plug may be introduced through the tie rod opening in the form board 28. With this construction the rod tie and its end or shoulder 32 and a first cone-plug 21 may be inserted through the opening in one form wall to be passed through the forms and to and through a tie rod opening in an opposed form board 28 in the opposite form wall.

As previously set forth, rotation of the tie and cone-plug combination facilitates the lacement of the form ties, since the forwardly disposed angu ar face on the cone-plug WI" with rotation tend to center the cone-plug with respect to the opening. FIG. 2 illustrates a first engaging position with the insertion tip end 25 already within the form board tie opening, and FIG. 4 illustrates the resultant and described alignment of the elements after the cone has been rotated 180. From this position further inserting movement of the tie rod 26 will bring the tie and cone-plug to its position of use as illustrated in FIG. 5. Here any escape of concrete from the forms is prevented by the tie opening occluding configuration of the cone-plug itself. With an angular face of approximately 45 as illustrated, a rotation of only will bring the cone-plug into alignment with respect to the opening.

While rotation of the tie and cone is recommended, the forwardly disposed angular face has a self-finding feature even though the tie is not rotated. Pressure exerted against the rear end of the tie 26 shown in FIG. 2 will cause the cone-plug 2] of FIG. 2 to be moved into the form board opening. Turning is preferred, however, since 90 or rotation of the coneplug will bring all elements into alignment with the forward or insertion tip end 25 of the cone-plug already disposed in the form board opening. The described self-finding features and the related ease of insertion are of substantial importance in connection with the use of the present devices. The provision of a relatively sharp tip end 25 that is not disposed concentrically with respect to the bore in the cone-plug contributes to the ease of use. The fact that the tip end in the present configuration is already disposed within the tie opening before the forward progress of the rod tie is interrupted as illustrated in FIG. 2 undoubtedly contributes to the ease of insertion. For purposes of description this tip end 25 is considered to be disposed forwardly of the tie receiving bore, and it is, accordingly, in a leading position with respect thereto.

I claim:

1. A cone-plug element for use on form ties in concrete forming operations to prevent escape of poured concrete through the form tie openings in the concrete supporting form elements comprising an elongated body of external shape corresponding to the size and shape of the form element tie open ing for passage through said opening, said body providing a longitudinal bore therethrough for engagement about said form tie, and an insertion tip end disposed nonconcentrically with respect to said bore and extending forwardly on said body in a leading position for first engagement in said form tie opening to facilitate self-finding insertion of said cone-plug therein.

2. Structure as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising an angularly disposed face on said body intersecting said bore and defining the insertion tip end of said cone-plug element.

3. Structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said angular face is planar.

4. Structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cone-plug body and bore are an extruded shape with said cone-plug elements being cut to a desired length to provide said angular face.

5. Structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein a plurality of angularly disposed faces are provided terminating the length of said cone-plug element. 

1. A cone-plug element for use on form ties in concrete forming operations to prevent escape of poured concrete through the form tie openings in the concrete supporting form elements comprising an elongated body of external shape corresponding to the size and shape of the form element tie opening for passage through said opening, said body providing a longitudinal bore therethrough foR engagement about said form tie, and an insertion tip end disposed nonconcentrically with respect to said bore and extending forwardly on said body in a leading position for first engagement in said form tie opening to facilitate self-finding insertion of said cone-plug therein.
 2. Structure as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising an angularly disposed face on said body intersecting said bore and defining the insertion tip end of said cone-plug element.
 3. Structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said angular face is planar.
 4. Structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cone-plug body and bore are an extruded shape with said cone-plug elements being cut to a desired length to provide said angular face.
 5. Structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein a plurality of angularly disposed faces are provided terminating the length of said cone-plug element. 